AGWODINUJU
BEFORE OWELLE ROCHAS OKOROCHA PLAYS GOD.
I have the pleasure to resume my epistle this week on the topic “Before Owelle Roc
has Okorocha plays God” which is running for the third week.
For those who did not have the opportunity to glance or digest the past editions, it is important I refresh their memory by recapping some of the earlier views expressed a week ago. in an email message emptied into the mail boxes of several media houses, the media department of the Governor’s office, Owerri, in one of the numerous stories sent for publication, quoted His Excellency, Owelle Rochas Okorocha to have said that “Imo Governorship is no longer for ‘boys’ and mediocre” because he has raised the bar of governance taking into consideration the giants strides he has recorded one year after taking the chief Executive Officer of the state position.
For me, I am not worried about his performance so far, rather what attracted my attention was the statement credited to Governor Okorocha that ‘boys’ and mediocre’ will not smell the state Governorship position again. Another factor that prompted me to delve into the matter was the inglorious statement that some prominent political figures in the state including former Governor Chief Achike Udenwa and Senator Ifeanyi Araraume were mere “spent forces” he would retire soon. These statements were made during the recently concluded interactive sessions with various stakeholders from the different local government areas in the state held at the Multi Purpose Hall..
It is pertinent that my commentaries attracted spontaneous reactions moments the last edition hit the news stands. In all, I considered it necessary to share with readers few issues raised. A concerned fellow who I consider sensitive to mention his name because of his present profile in the present government drew my attention to a historical miscarriage in the analogy of the 1998/98 PDP primaries which I highlighted. He informed me that contrary to my submission that Udenwa came third in the PDP primaries, Ambassador Greg Mbadiwe was third behind Owelle Okorocha and presumed winner, Barr Humphrey Anumudu. The fellow went ahead to read out the scores of each of the candidate before intimating me that the eventual PDP candidate and winner of the gubernatorial contest, Udenwa, was fourth according to records. I think the record books will ascertain the true position when the political history of the state will be recounted.
Others were text messages from 08037057268 which reads “KC, agwo nwanne, your expose on Okorocha is on point. God bless you. Please kindly join us at Igboville@facebookgroups.com” and 07035750972 said“Trumpeta is agbata eke, or u cud cal it mushroom newspaper. A paper of propagandas by propagandridis and 2 propagandbayas. Up Rochas de transformational apostle. I thanked them for their comments in my response for their reactions. I solely believe that everybody has the fundamental right to air his views and Imo Trumpeta Newspaper offers column for right of reply. A space that caters for written responses emanating from stories, and articles carried in the paper.
On the vexed issue of “Before Owelle Okorocha plays God”, last Thursday’s Appeal Court judgment requesting the reinstatement of council chairmen sacked by the Governor when he took over May 29 last year, has also exposed the inadequacies which hitherto places him among the so called “Mediocre” Governor’s he vowed would not rule Imo again. It is only a mediocre that would allow a court of competent jurisdiction reverse certain fundamental errors recorded in the course of his action.
I need to be corrected to state that despite his self – acclaimed scintillating performances after one year in office, Owelle might include his name in the country’s Guinness Book of Records, for exhibiting high disregard for rule of law, constituted authorities and due process in the act of governance as a state Governor. Except he has Idi Amin of Uganda blood running in his vein or was tutored by Gen Sanni Abacha since he spent a reasonable part of his life in the North, how come he is in court with numerous bodies challenging some believed unlawful decisions he took in the last 12 months. Apart from the elected council chairmen and sacked members of the Imo State Judicial Service Commission who have floored him in court for showcasing autocratic orientation, sacked 10, 000 job beneficiaries, past political appointees, sacked Local Government and Civil Service Commissions, several non governmental organizations and civil rights groups want to further shame Okorocha in the court for displaying “kindergarten” tendencies.
Our dear Governor should also know that it is only a mediocre government that bulldozes the houses of its residents without adequate notices and appropriate compensation for proper resettlement.
His Excellency should also know that only ‘boy governors would claim to be the Chief Cashier or rather accountant of some strategic government agencies even when political appointees and qualified civil servants are deployed to the establishments.
It is worthy to note that I have no intention of taking Owelle Okorocha to the cleaners in this epistle, rather my comments are constructive criticism aimed at ensuring that he shores up his public image and avoid inflammatory statements in order to put his footprints on the sands of time. Like Ndi Igbo will say Obughi so onye nwuru anwu ka ana edozi olu, ana edozi kwa onye di ndu” it is not only the dead that his/her neck should be straightened, the living too deserves it.” I rest my case. Thanks for reading.
